Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH07138’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Petunia  particularly characterized by dark violet flowers, very rich, early and continuous bloom, and a compact and mounding growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Petunia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH07138’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia, botanically known as Petunia hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KLEPH07138’. ‘KLEPH07138’ was discovered as a seedling resulting from a cross conducted in summer 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Petunia parent, ‘J 003’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male Petunia parent, ‘J 010’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new cultivar was created in summer 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in vitro propagation in Stuttgart, Germany for more than 40 generations. ‘KLEPH07138’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal commercial practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Dark violet flowers;     -   2. Very rich, early and continuous bloom; and     -   3. A compact and mounding growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows a close-up of the mature flower, buds and foliage; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph is of a plant about 5-months old and grown from rooted cuttings in an 11-cm pot in a greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEPH07138’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 5-month old plants in 11-cm pots that were pinched once approximately one week after potting and grown in a greenhouse in January through May. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.         -   Genus and species.— Petunia hybrid.         -   Common name.— Petunia. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘J 003’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘J 010’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Compact.         -   Habit.—Mounding.         -   Height (from top of soil).—12 cm.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—14 cm.         -   Propagation.—Terminal tip cuttings.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—11 weeks.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—16 days.         -   Root description.—Dense and freely branching, fibrous white             roots. -   Stems:     -   -   Average number (basal).—6.         -   Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the             tip).—9.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—0.3 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—1.5 cm to 5.0 cm.         -   Stem color.—RHS 137C.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size.—Length: 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm. Width: 0.3 cm to 2.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Margin.—Very weak undulation.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Color, immature leaf.—Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower             surface: RHS 138C.         -   Color, mature leaf.—Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface:             RHS 146B.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 145A. Lower surface: RHS             146B.         -   Petioles.—Length: 0.2 cm to 2.5 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Color             (both the upper and lower parts): RHS 138B. Texture: Smooth. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Irregular, oblong.         -   Size.—Length: 3.5 cm. Diameter: 1.0 cm.         -   Color at tight bud.—RHS 76C.         -   Immature flower color.—RHS 83A. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuous flowering             during the summer.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower.         -   Number of flowers per node.—1.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—7 days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Pedicels.—Color: RHS 137C. Length: 1.8 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Flowers:     -   -   Shaped.—Cup-shaped.         -   Size.—Diameter (flower face): 4.5 cm. Depth (total length of             flower): 3.5 cm. Funnel: Length: 2.5 cm. Diameter (at             opening): 1.0 cm. Outside texture: Moderate.         -   Mature flower.—Face/Margin Color: Upper surface: RHS 83A.             Lower surface: RHS 83D. Corolla: Shape: Cup-shaped. Color             inside (throat): RHS 83A. Color outside: RHS 83D. Petals:             Apex: Rounded to emarginate. Base: Reniform. Margin:             Undulating. Waviness: Very weak. Lobation: Weak. Texture:             Moderate.         -   Calyx arrangement.—One star-shaped calyx tube with five             sepals fused at the base per flower.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Color: RHS 138A. Length: 2.0 cm. Width:             0.5 cm. Shape: Lanceolate to elliptic. Apex: Obtuse Base:             Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle-like with an elliptic             head. Filament: Color: RHS 150A. Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter:             0.1 cm. Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 4D. Length:             0.2 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 4D. Amount:             Abundant.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 0.6 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.             Stigma: Color: RHS 150A. Shape: Oval. Length: 1.8 cm.             Diameter: 0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS 150C. Length: 2.0 cm.             Diameter: 0.1 cm. Texture: Fibrous. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: Not observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLEPH07138’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘J 003’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEPH07138’ has a compact and mounding growth habit, while ‘J 003’ has a non-compact, semi-trailing growth habit.

‘KLEPH07138’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘J 010’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEPH07138’ has a compact and mounding growth habit, while ‘J 010’ has a compact and upright growth habit.

‘KLEPH07138’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘Famous Blue’, also known as ‘KLEC01037’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEPH07138’ produce flowers earlier than ‘Famous Blue’. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant as shown and described herein. 